In the News

This feature on Robhoek Farm in South Africa reveals dairy producer Nigel Lok's philosophies and scientific methods to success, which have led his dairy operation to thrive as annual milk production in South Africa has increased by 0.8 billion litres over the last decade.

Sam Leadley of Attica Veterinary Associates, Attica, NY tells of the benefits of feeding colostrum to improve calf development. The article is a preview of further discussions on calf health that will come during Dairy: Today's Greatest Business Opportunity, part of the Alltech REBELation in Lexington, Kentucky from May 16 to 20, 2015.

According to this article in Progressive Dairyman Canada, a recent survey of Canadian corn silage samples from September to November 2014 tested for mycotoxin contamination found an average 4.8 mycotoxins per sample. Based on these results, experts have placed the mycotoxin risk level for dairy cows at high alert.

Increasing livestock fertility, nailing precision feeding, developing fish meal substitutes and a migration away from antimicrobials are the immediate goals of a US led research alliance relying on ‘innovative’ nutritional and management practices.

Click the audio link below to hear Alltech president and founder Dr. Pearse Lyons speak with RTE Lyric FM about the story of Alltech and its connection with yeast at Alltech's Craft Brews and Food Fair. Anders Coisbo, the Dublin Craft Beer Cup winner, is also featured.

Over the last decade annual milk production in South Africa has increased from 2.0 to 2.8 billion litres. This reflects a rising demand associated with a rising affluence, which in turn reflects a real increase in the African middle class. High temperatures and the lack of refrigerators in many homes means that there is limited demand in the liquid milk sector, but there is a good market for UHT milk. Find out how one producer utilises Alltech solutions to seize opportunities in this market.

The take home message and overall theme behind Alltech’s on-farm webinar, “Precision Feeding Dairy Heifers” presented by Jud Heinrichs, Penn State University was that heifers need to be managed better. Focus should be on meeting animal requirements and feed efficiency. He also provides seven goals for 2015 in order to help achieve this.

The most important time of a newborn calf’s life is the first 24 hours, thus the significance of administering colostrum as soon as possible after birth. A good rule of thumb is “the sooner, the better.” "Plenty of good, wholesome colostrum early in life can make a big difference in the life of a calf," said Dr. Sam Leadley, Attica Veterinary Associates. "This is important not only for calf development, but for the rest of her productive life."